Orphanage 1st Instalement

Been here at the Children of the Rising Sun (CRS) for a week and a day - seems like a month and a week. That is not in a bad way, but the place feels like home and we have a new family, somewhat on the large side (67 children) and 'Aunties' and other staff members. Anyway more about the 'Aunties' and staff later. Sure you want to hear about what we have been up to and any other dramas - you may be disappointed on that score, think we are drama'd out!

Well we finally arrived after our unexpected hospital visit and a 1 and half hour bus journey, crammed into what we would call a mini bus but they call a matutu. It was raining, yet again, when we left Mombasa and raining much of the way. Oh yes, drama coming up - be prepared! We arrived at the entry road to CRS and disembarked from the matutu and stood waiting for the driver to get our bags out of the boot. We waiting, I lit a cigarette, another passenger lit a cigarette, we smoked, put it out and still no bags out of the boot. Boot was well and truely stuck - 2/3 Kenyan men trying to get it open why they didn't ask a woman I have no idea. So then they tried to get it out over the back seats, on one minor problem with that idea is that there are bars behind the back seats! So then they tried to get it out of a small side window, only problem with that was the window was a tad small for our luggage. However the window did work in a way as with the tugging of the first rucksack the boot popped open. So hooray, luggage reached freedom.

Then we had a short walk up to the Orphanage, with me and my wheelie suitcase trying to drag it through the sand, not the easiest of tasks. No we weren't near the beach, alot of the side roads (tracks really) are covered with sand. Then at the gates of the CRS we were, not before we had been stared at many times by the children coming out from school for their lunch break and intrigued by the 'Muzungo's (not sure of the spelling) white people with silly bags!

We were warmly met by 'Auntie' Hannah who is in charge hear and shown to our quarters - much more luxurious than we expected. Hannah has kindly given up her living quarters for Jennifer and I. So we have a front room with basic kitchen facilites - well a sink, tap and a cooker that does not work. A bedroom with a double and a single - I of course plumped for the double using my back as a decent excuse! And a bathroom - shower, loo, sink etc. However I have gone off the shower completely today. It is not the cold showers (no hot here) I can cope with them. But when you have gone for a 40 minute jog in this heat and then jump in the shower, washing your hair and soaping and then for the water to stop and not restart for over an hour or so - you too would not be the biggest fan of the shower!!! In actual fact I had to do a DIY shower in the end with the trickle of water from the bathroom sink. Of course now I don't need a shower it is working perfectly.

Anyway, I digress back to day 1 at the Orphanage, so after we unpacked (you know what I am like)! We had a tour of CRS and met the staff, Leonard the Chef (who has a thing for our American volunteer, but it is a secret so don't tell anyone!), the Aunties, who are the staff that look after the children and thus the reason for their title. There are alot of Aunties about 5 on at each time. They live here with the children in their rooms whilst on duty and go home for their day off.

Then we popped into the school to say hi. The school is on the same land essentially as CRS, our house is on the school grounds. There are over 900 children at the school, it is a primary school. However it is not like our primary school as they have students who are up to about 18 years of age. After primary students go onto secondary. Yes, I do hear you asking, how can an 18 year old go to Primary school. Well over here a lot of parents could not afford education, but now the Government has made it free at Primary level for all children they come to school with varying ages. Some don't start school until they are 12 -14, so they are starting very late in comparison to our schools. So you do get a mix of ages in each year. It is good for us though as helping with homework isn't too taxing, well English isn't, struggling with maths but as you know never been my favourite subject!

Anyway shall sign of this post and start instalement No 2.